Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not support the proposal that No. 1 be taken without debate. We should be afforded the opportunity to discuss this matter. Deputy Denis Naughten was removed from committee membership yesterday without any consultation with him. That is not the way to conduct business in the Oireachtas.

Yesterday we learned, without any debate in either House, that 3,000 families currently in receipt of one-parent family payment will see cuts of €50 per week arising from the decision by the Minister for Social Protection to remove them from the scheme. It is most concerning that this is being done without any reference to this or the other House. A cut of €50 is a substantial reduction in weekly income for the households concerned. It is clear that the Government sought to get this through the gap, so to speak, just as the Dáil was rising for the recess yesterday. It is a convenient coincidence of timing that the Minister will not have to answer questions in regard to it. In that context, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister come to the House today to explain why she considers it equitable and fair that €50 per week is being taken from 3,000 lone parents.